Your Excellency João Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, and Chair of the African Union,
Your Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana,
Your Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Excellency Amb. Youssouf Mondoha, Ambassador of the Union of Comoros and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Addis Ababa,
Excellency Amb. Martin Kimani, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent,
Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Head of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the AUC and ECA,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honor to convey the warm greetings of His Excellency Taye Atske Selassie, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. President Taye extends his heartfelt regrets for not being able to join you today due to prior commitments. I am privileged to deliver these remarks on his behalf on this momentous occasion.
Allow me to begin by extending to each of you, and to all sons and daughters of Africa—on the continent and in the diaspora—our best wishes for a joyous Africa Day celebrations.
Excellencies,
May 25th, marks a pivotal moment in our collective history, the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), 62 years ago. In 1963, 32 visionary Heads of State and Government assembled in this historic city of Addis Ababa to give birth to a Pan-African institution that would chart the course toward unity, freedom, and dignity for all African people. We pay tribute to our forebears, whose courage, sacrifice, and unwavering conviction laid the foundations for a continent liberated from the yoke of colonialism and apartheid. Their legacy calls upon us to deepen our efforts to realize their vision of a united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa.
Excellencies,
Africa has made commendable progress over the decades. We have advanced peace and security, strengthened regional cooperation, and built institutions that are essential to the social and economic transformation of our societies. The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands as a landmark achievement in our collective journey towards economic integration. It represents not only a strategic platform for intra-African trade but also a bold step toward inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Yet, even as we celebrate our gains, we must acknowledge the considerable work that lies ahead. While political liberation has been largely achieved, the goal of full economic emancipation and integration remains a pressing and unfinished mission. We must redouble our efforts to break the barriers that hinder African unity—be they economic, infrastructural, or ideological.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year’s Africa Day is celebrated under the theme: “Revisiting Our History, Shaping Our Future”. It is a theme that deeply resonates with our shared aspirations and coincides with the 2025 African Union Theme of the Year, which focuses on reparatory justice for African people and people of African descent.
Reparatory justice is not only about addressing historical wrongs, it is about affirming the dignity of our people and creating a future grounded in equity and accountability. In this context, the solidarity between the continent and the African diaspora must be strengthened. Together, we must forge a unified voice to advocate for justice, recognition, and restitution on the global stage.
Excellencies,
In today’s rapidly changing global landscape, unity among African nations is more vital than ever. We must harness the enduring Pan-African spirit of our founding fathers to confront emerging challenges, whether they relate to climate change, conflict, youth unemployment, or technological disruption.
Africa’s youth represent both our present strength and future promise. Investing in education, digital infrastructure, science, and innovation, including in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and big data is not optional; it is essential. These are the engines that will drive Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Furthermore, we must continue to champion inclusive governance and democratic values, which are the bedrocks of resilience and sustainable development.
Excellencies,
As I conclude, I wish to reaffirm Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to our continental agenda. We remain fully dedicated to the realization of the Aspirations of Agenda 2063, a blueprint for a prosperous, peaceful, and united Africa, driven by its own citizens and playing a dynamic role in the global arena.
Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us by fulfilling our responsibility to those who will come after.
I thank you.
